This Memorial Day Weekend 2017

Here’s wishing everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend.

When I was a child, my parents called it “Decoration Day.” My brother served in the Army and every year on Decoration Day, the family headed out to the cemetery to visit his grave. As we got closer to the cemetery, there were shops that sold flags and flowers. My mom always bought a wreath to lay on my brother’s grave that would not get blown away by the wind, and next to it, we stuck the stick into the ground that held the American flag.

When my dad made his transition, he was buried in the same cemetery as my brother. We kept to the same tradition of a wreath and American flag. As the years went on, Memorial Day became a day to visit the final resting places of other family members who transitioned but had not served in the Armed Forces.

This year, we are not going to cemeteries. Rain is expected tomorrow, so we are holding a “memory day” to include sharing photos and revisiting the lives of those who have transitioned. We use somewhat of a lottery system to rotate the two folded American flags to pass-on to another family member. The names will go into a punch bowl and two names will be pulled.

Another word about my brother; before he died, he did a recording that he dedicated to me. My oldest sister had the vinyl that through the years was misplaced, but I will always remember the song. Here is the version by the Ink Spots

Thanks Cindy. I’m pretty sure that my brother imprinted those lyrics in my heart before he transitioned. I was a toddler when he died, but I do remember parts of the funeral, including what I wore and the folding of the flag.

LOL! I couldn’t resist the CD box set of the Ink Spots!
Redd Foxx is hilarious. He had a lot of musical themed episodes. One of my favorites was Lena Horne or as Redd called her “The Horn” and another one featured The Three Degrees! A genius.

Hahaha! Occasionally on satellite radio the comedy channels will have Redd Foxx marathons. I have to say that Redd Foxx got me interested in Richard Pryor who definitely taught me the importance of Comedy to our social conscience.

Oh yes! I am a YouTube fanatic because I like to get it straight from the source and everyone with something important to say has been caught on film or audio and of course it’s on YouTube. Dick Gregory and Nipsey Russell we’re able to get their points across at a critical time in our history when reality was heavily censored. Lenny Bruce did a great job breaking down barriers regarding protest humor and social injustice but I feel there is a beauty and genius when a comedian can slip it in “right under their nose.”
No one will ever be able to top this one: in the 1930s, Louis Armstrong, was being wrongfully harassed and arrested in Memphis, Tennessee. Later at a performance Memphis, Louie dedicated one of his hit songs to the Memphis Chief of Police; “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You.” Of course the chief of police didn’t “get it” and was honored. LOL! Not only was Louie a musical genius who changed music FOREVER because he understood, intellectually and instinctively, the heart and soul of humanity. the statement he made back in the 30s, in Memphis, is as timely now as it was then and will be until social justice is achieved.
LOL! Once I get started on Louis, I can go on for days! 👍👍

I would definitely love a Louie Armstrong biopic! did you see the Bessie Smith film starring Queen Latifah? I’m pretty sure that I have read every scrap of information about Bessie Smith and I have to say that Queen Latifah and Company did a terrific job capturing Bessie’s magnificent spirit! I would also love to see a film on Gertrude “Ma” Rainey. We need as many Heroes as we can get who succeeded against unbelievable odds. Real people who went “HIGH” when the world went “LOW” against them.
Xena, I see these values in every post on your blog and I thank you for it!

Tom,
I didn’t see the Bessie Smith film but will look out for it. You say “Real people” and indeed, they opened doors for others in spite of obstacles. I remember Ella Fitzgerald talking about not being allowed to enter the front of a hotel in Las Vegas. Las Vegas! I don’t remember who was on the ticket with her, but they said if she could not use the doors they use as Whites, they were not performing.

Thank you so much for your kind words about values.
Even those such as Elvis and Janis Joplin would not have had hits had it not been for Big Mamma Thornton.

Definitely! Hound dog for Elvis and ball and chain for Joplin! Speaking of big mama Thornton, have you ever heard her version of “Lucky Old Sun” from her Mercury Records album “Stronger Than Dirt” I’m pretty sure it’s on YouTube. The entire album is a masterpiece.